False eyelash applicator

ABSTRACT

The false eyelash applicator is a generally U-shaped hand tool having two arms joined together by a middle portion. The arms are mirror images of each other and are parallel to the other. Each arm has an end, a neck section, and a handle section. The middle portion is flanked on each side by the handle sections of each arm. The ends have a width and a slightly concave edge that serves to hold the false eyelash. The width of the applicator&#39;s ends permits the applicator to grasp up to about three-fourths of the false eyelash, and not just a few lashes, at one time for more accuracy. The applicator is constructed of flexible, resilient material to permit the applicator to be folded into its generally U-shaped configuration and be manipulated.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/541,250, filed Feb. 4, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cosmetics in general, and moreparticularly, to an applicator for false eyelashes.

2. Description of the Related Art

Having the right cosmetic tool is essential for applying makeupcorrectly and accurately. Today there are a number of cosmetic tools inthe market each with its own specific purpose. In some cases people haveutilized one cosmetic tool to do more than one job. For example,individuals who apply and/or wear false eyelashes may have usednarrow-tipped tweezers to help in the application of the false eyelash.These narrow-tipped tweezers are generally designed to remove finehairs, not to hold lashes. The narrow-tipped tweezers, if used to holdfalse eyelashes, will only hold just a few lashes, and will not providemuch control over the false eyelash during application. A number ofcosmetic tools have been developed to help apply false eyelashes, whileother tools having different intended purposes have been substituted toassist in the process of putting on eyelashes. However, a false eyelashapplicator that is simple, easy to use and specifically designed forgrasping the lashes of the false eyelashes is desired.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,478,754, issued to Martin, Jr. on Nov. 18, 1969,describes a clamp-like applicator for false eyelashes. The applicatorhas handles for manipulating the eyelash. The handles either move by asliding action or by pivoting about each other. U.S. Pat. No. 3,561,454,issued to O'Connell, on Feb. 9, 1971, describes an implement forapplying false eyelashes to an eyelid. The device comprises a pair ofshanks with associated angled tips that are designed to hold a falseeyelash. The shanks are slidably arranged to engage the eyelash.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,094,409, issued to Phillips, Sr. on Sep. 28, 1937,describes an applicator for artificial eyelashes. The applicatorcomprises clamp members that are relatively flat and broad at one endand having an arcuate eyelid conforming edge. The clamp members arehinged together by a spring wrapped around a hinge. U.S. Pat. No.3,511,248, issued to Panda on May 12, 1970, describes an eyelashapplicator. The applicator has a contoured surface that conforms to theshape of an eye and a lever to hold an eyelash to the surface of theapplicator. The applicator both holds and applies the eyelashes to theeyelid. A spring-like tool having ends that configure to the curvatureof the eyelash is used to place the false eyelash on the applicator.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,268,082, issued to Phillips, Sr. on Dec. 30, 1941,describes an applicator for artificial eyelashes. The applicatorcomprises a clamp this is pivotally connected at a center region, whichhas a handle end and a concave eyelid conforming end. In a normalposition, the eyelid conforming end is clamped together to form aneyelash-gripping end. U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,742, issued to Weaner on Jun.20, 1972, describes an eyelash applicator. The applicator has a T-shapedbase that is pivotally attached to a T-shaped clamp lever by a springmeans. The functional end of the clamp is crescent-shaped and designedto engage the arcuate shaped eyelash.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,519, issued to Epstein on Mar. 27, 1973, describes afalse eyelash applicator. The applicator is a handheld device having ablunt end to hold down an eyelid and a pair of finger-operated grippersthat are pushed forward so that the false eyelash meets the eyelid. U.S.Pat. No. 3,461,886, issued to Bau on Aug. 19, 1969, describes a tool forhandling false eyelashes. The tool has a rod-like handle having a numberof blades disposed on the functional end of the rod. The blades providea combing action as it passes between the strands of the false eyelash.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,625,229, issued to Silson on Dec. 7, 1971, describestongs for handling false eyelashes. The tongs, made of polypropylene,have an integrally molded hinge to keep the legs of the tongs together.The unhinged ends of the tongs are U-shaped to grip the false eyelashalong substantially the whole length of the eyelash spine. The unhingedU-shaped ends have differing radii so that the ends can nest within theother. The hinge of the tongs is formed of narrow webbing that shouldprovide sufficient spring for the legs of the tong.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,196,235, issued to Tuttle et al. on Apr. 9, 1940,describes an eyelash cosmetic applicator. The applicator comprises armsthat are disposed on a threaded stud and encased within a rectangularholder. The arms are pushed out of the holder by rotating an operatingknob until the arms are rotated up the threaded stud. U.S. Pat. No.1,666,116, issued to Bunnell on Apr. 17, 1928, describes an eyelashapplicator for use in applying coloring material. The applicator may bea pair of tweezers that is contained in an enclosed body or carrier. Theends of the tweezers can have notches so that the tweezers can retain aribbon, a crayon or a brush.

Devices for curling or crimping eyelashes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.2,392,694, issued to Rector on Jan. 8, 1946 (an eye lash crimper) andU.S. Pat. No. 3,016,059, issued to Hutton on Jan. 9, 1962 (device tocurl and treat eyelashes).

A number of tweezers have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,286,673,issued to Linke on Dec. 3, 1918 (tweezers having a relatively sharppoint taking the shape of a pair of legs wearing shoes); U.S. Pat. No.3,306,139, issued to Brackett on Feb. 28, 1967 (describes theconstruction of tweezers where the tweezers are shaped like legs); U.S.Pat. No. 783,924, issued to Boehm on Feb. 28, 1905 (combined tweezersand blackhead extractor); U.S. Pat. No. 2,082,062, issued to Johnson onJun. 1, 1937 (tweezers having members to assist in aligning the tweezerprongs) and U.S. Patent Application No. 2001/0026074, published on Oct.4, 2001 (a process for making precision tweezers).

Various forms of tweezers are shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. 214,225,issued to Grande on May 20, 1969; U.S. Design Pat. No. 89,315, issued toSegal on Feb. 21, 1933; U.S. Des. Pat. No. 327,751, issued to Colani onJul. 7, 1992; and U.S. Design Pat. No. 386,808, issued to Litton on Nov.25, 1997; and W.I.P.O Patent No. 88/00014, published on Jan. 14, 1988 (atweezers having an attached battery powered light source).

Still a number of tweezers specifically designed for use in non-cosmeticapplications have been disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No.2002/0127514, published on Sep. 12, 2002 (tweezers for clampingstrip-shaped or thread-shaped material, which have particular use in thedental field); Japanese Patent Number 2-277,252, published on Nov. 13,1990 (tweezers for gripping a wafer using small force); German PatentNumber 4,011,721, published on Oct. 17, 1991 (U-shaped hand tool forhandling light bulbs) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,578, issued to Williams onJan. 30, 1996 (tweezers for use in making stuffed animals).

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or incombination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus,a false eyelash applicator solving the aforementioned problems isdesired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The false eyelash applicator is a generally U-shaped hand tool havingtwo arms joined together by a middle portion. The arms are mirror imagesof each other and lie parallel to the other. Each arm has an end, a necksection, and a handle section. The middle portion is flanked on eachside by the handle sections of each arm. The ends have a width and aslightly concave edge that serves to hold the false eyelash. The widthof the applicator's ends permits the applicator to grasp as much asthree-fourths of the false eyelash and not just a few lashes at one timefor more accuracy. The applicator is constructed of resilient materialto permit the applicator to be folded into its generally U-shapedconfiguration and to be manipulated.

These and other features of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon consideration of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a false eyelashapplicator according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is plan view of a false eyelash applicator according to thepresent invention in a fully extended condition.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a false eyelash applicator according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a false eyelash applicator according tothe present invention.

FIG. 5 is an environmental, perspective view of a false eyelashapplicator in use.

FIGS. 6A through 6E show how to use the false eyelash applicator and thesteps of how to apply a false eyelash using the false eyelashapplicator, as follows.

FIG. 6A is a plan view of a false eyelash applicator according to thepresent invention holding a false eyelash.

FIG. 6B is a plan view of a false eyelash applicator according to thepresent invention holding a false eyelash, with arrows indicating whereto apply adhesive on the false eyelash.

FIG. 6C is a block diagram showing how long to hold the eyelash to theeyelid using the false eyelash applicator.

FIG. 6D is a perspective view showing the false eyelash applicatorapplying the eyelash to a user's eyelid.

FIG. 6E shows the false eyelash attached to the user's eyelid, withtweezers being shown to complete application of the false eyelash.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a false eyelash applicator, designated as 10 inthe drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the applicator 10 is a device heldbetween a thumb T and fingers IF, MF, RF of a hand. The applicator 10 isused to hold a false eyelash F and apply the false eyelash F on theuser's eyelid E. The applicator 10 is constructed from a single piece ofresilient material that is folded into a generally U-shapedconfiguration. Alternatively, the applicator may be made from tworelatively rigid arms 20 and 40 joined by a more flexible, resilientmiddle portion 30.

The applicator 10 is preferably manufactured by stamping out the shapeof the applicator 10 from stainless steel using techniques well known inthe art. Ideally the stainless steel used will have a gauge size oftwenty. It is feasible, however, to make the applicator 10 from otherresilient material, as well as other gauges of steel. The benefits ofusing stainless steel to construct the applicator 10 are that theapplicator 10 will be lightweight, sturdy and resilient.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the applicator 10 is shown in a pre-bent,straight configuration. The applicator 10 has a first arm 20, a middleportion 30 and a second arm 40. The first arm 20 and the second arm 40are mirror images of the other. The first arm 20 comprises an end 22, aneck section 24, and a handle section 26. Likewise, the second arm 40comprises an end 42, a neck section 44 and a handle section 46. Themiddle portion 30 is disposed in the center of the applicator 10,flanked on each side by the handle section 26 of the first arm 20 andthe handle section 46 of the second arm 40.

The ends 22, 42 are the operative portions of the applicator 10. Theends 22, 42 are generally T-shaped having a width of about ¾″ at theirwidest part. The width and the shape of the ends 22, 42 permit the userto grasp several lashes of the false eyelash F at one time and therebyhave better control over the false eyelash F than with narrow-tippedtweezers. The ends 22, 42 each have a slightly concave edge 23, 43,respectively. Edges 23, 43 are designed to correspond to a natural curveof both the false eyelash F and the user's eyelid E.

Neck sections 24, 44 are disposed between the ends 22, 42 and the handlesections 26, 46. The neck sections 24, 44 have a width of about ¼″,while the handle sections 26, 46 have a width of about ½″. The width ofthe handle sections 26, 46 provide space for the user to manipulate theapplicator 10 with her fingers IF, MF, RF and thumb T.

The width of the neck sections 24, 44, is narrower than the width of theends 22, 42 and the width of the handle sections 26, 46. The narrowwidth of the neck sections 24, 44 provides the user with a better viewof the false eyelash F and also permits the user to see more of thefalse eyelash F as it is held between ends 22, 42. It is helpful to seeas much of the eyelash F between ends 22, 42 as possible in order toproperly place the false eyelash F on the eyelid E.

The middle portion 30 of the applicator 10 has a width of about 5/16″.The middle portion 30 is, therefore, narrower than the ends 22, 42, andthe handle sections 26, 46, but wider than the neck sections 24, 44. Thedifference in widths between the middle portion 30 and the handlesections 26, 46 distinctly defines the middle portion 30 as a separateregion from the handle sections 26, 46. The width of the middle portion30 also provides some degree of resilience to the applicator 10 as it isbeing manipulated to hold and release the false eyelash F. Furthermore,the width of the middle portion 30 permits the applicator 10 to be bentinto the generally U-shaped configuration without making the applicator10 susceptible to being broken.

Viewing FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIG. 4, the applicator 10 is shown inthe U-shaped configuration. End 22, neck 24 and handle section 26 of arm20 all lie in a plane above and generally parallel to end 42, neck 44and handle section 46 of arm 40, respectively. The arms 20, 40 are benttoward each other using a suitable amount of pressure to form thegenerally U-shaped configuration. Because of the resiliency of thematerial used to make the applicator 10, pressure applied by one's handis sufficient to bend the arms 20, 40 together.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the U-shaped configuration, end 22 has an outercorner 21 formed by the junction of the outer surface (or upper surfacein the orientation shown in FIG. 4) of the arm 20 with the face of edge23, and an inner corner 25 formed by the junction of the inner surface(or lower surface) of arm 20 and the face of edge 23; similarly, end 42has an outer corner 41 formed by the junction of the outer surface (orlower surface in the orientation of FIG. 4) of arm 40 and the face ofedge 43, and an inner corner 45 formed at the junction of the innersurface (or upper surface) of arm 40 and the face of edge 43. When theapplicator 10 is being used in the generally U-shaped configuration, itis the inner corners 25, 45 of the applicator 10 that actually abut andhold the false eyelashes F. Therefore, although ends 22, 44 are theoperative portions of the applicator 10, it is the inner corners 25, 45that actually grip false eyelash F. In order to ensure that only theinner corners 25 and 45 grip the eyelash F, the ends 22 and 44 may beslightly bent towards each other, or at least one of the ends may beslightly bent toward the other end. This prevents mashing or flatteningthe eyelash F.

In the straight configuration, the applicator 10 is preferably aboutseven inches long from one end 22 to the opposite end 42. When theapplicator 10 is bent into the generally U-shaped configuration, eacharm 20, 40 is about three and three-eights of inches to three andone-half inches long, which, consequentially is the same dimension forthe applicator 10 in it's U-shaped configuration. The length of theU-shaped applicator 10 is important because the applicator 10 must belong enough so that the fingers IF, MF, RF and the thumb T canmanipulate the applicator 10 without obstructing the user's view. With aclear view, the user can see where to place the false eyelash F on theeyelid E.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in order to use the applicator 10, the fingersIF, MF, RF of the hand are placed on the topmost arm of the applicator10 and the thumb T is placed on the bottommost arm. The user holds theapplicator 10 by placing the thumb T on the handle region 46 of arm 40,or the bottommost arm, and fingers IF, MF, RF on the handle region 26 ofarm 20, or the topmost arm. The number of fingers the user may place onthe topmost arm can be one, two or three fingers, depending on theuser's expertise in applying the false eyelash F on the eyelid E. Forexample, someone who is inexperienced in applying false eyelashes F mayuse the index finger IF, the middle finger MF and/or the ring finger RFon the arm 20 to apply the eyelash F. On the other hand, an experienceduser may only use one finger, such as the index finger IF, to apply theeyelash F.

The fingers and thumb are positioned on the applicator 10 to applypressure on the arms 20, 40 and hold the false eyelash F between ends22, 42, specifically between inner corners 25, 45. Only enough pressureis applied to the applicator 10 so that the inner corners 25, 45 gripthe false eyelash F. If too much pressure is applied to the applicator10, then the ends 22, 42 lie flat against each other with the falseeyelash F therebetween, crushing and distorting the curved shape of thefalse eyelash F. The eyelash F is correctly placed on the eyelid E whenthe natural curve of the false eyelash F is maintained. Without thecurve of the false eyelash F, it becomes difficult for the user to judgewhere to place the false eyelash F on the eyelid E.

As shown in FIGS. 6A through 6E, the user may use the following steps toapply the false eyelash F to the eyelid E. Grasp the false eyelash F bythe lashes L at a center region J leaving ends I, K of the false eyelashF extending beyond the ends 22, 42 of the applicator 10. The applicator10 should preferably hold the lashes L about 1 to 2 centimeters from thebase B of the eyelash F, see FIG. 6A. While holding the eyelash F withthe applicator 10, apply a hairline strip of adhesive G to the base B ofthe eyelash F, as shown in FIG. 6B. Then, hold the eyelash F for acouple of seconds, preferably 30 seconds, until the adhesive G becomestacky, as indicated in FIG. 6C.

Once the adhesive G is tacky, the base B of the eyelashes F should bedirected toward the eyelid E, at an angle, and placed as close to rootsR as possible, as indicated in FIG. 6D. The applicator 10 must bepositioned so that the middle portion 30 points up and away from theuser's eyelid E in order to place the false eyelash F in the properposition on the eyelid. By holding the applicator 10 in this manner, theuser's view is unobstructed and the ends 22, 42 of the applicator 10 areautomatically pointed down to the roots R of the eyelid E.

The correct way to place the false eyelash F on the eyelid E is by firstidentifying and affixing the center three-fourths J of the false eyelashF, to the eyelid E with ends 22, 42. The slightly concave edges 23, 43of ends 22, 42 help in the application of the false eyelash F because itmatches the curve of the eyelid E. Once the center J of the falseeyelash F is placed in the center of the eyelid E, nearest the roots R,the applicator 10 is removed and the ends I, K of the false eyelash Fare pressed down to meet the ends of the root R using tweezers 50, asindicated in FIG. 6E. The tweezers 50, unlike applicator 10, have anarrower functional tip that helps the user to precisely match ends I, Kto the roots R of the eyelid E.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A false eyelash applicator, comprising: a first arm; a second arm;and a resilient middle portion joined to each arm and shaped to agenerally U-shaped configuration; whereby the first arm and the secondarm lie in parallel planes.
 2. The false eyelash applicator of claim 1,wherein the applicator is made from stainless steel.
 3. The falseeyelash applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator is made fromresilient material.
 4. The false eyelash applicator of claim 1, whereineach of the arms has an end, a neck section, and a handle section. 5.The false eyelash applicator of claim 4, wherein the end is generallyT-shaped.
 6. The false eyelash applicator of claim 4, wherein the endhas a width of about ¾″ at its widest part, whereby a user may gripseveral lashes of a false eyelash simultaneously.
 7. The false eyelashapplicator of claim 4, wherein the end has a slightly concave edgeadapted to correspond to a natural curve of both the false eyelash and auser's eyelid.
 8. The false eyelash applicator of claim 4, wherein theneck section is disposed between the end and the handle section, theneck section having a width of about ¼″ and the handle section having awidth of about ½″, thereby providing space for the user to manipulatethe applicator with fingers and a thumb.
 9. The false eyelash applicatorof claim 4, wherein the neck section has a width, the end has a widthand the handle section has a width, the width of the neck section beingnarrower than both the widths of the ends and the handle sectionpermitting the user to view the false eyelash as the false eyelash isheld by the applicator.
 10. The false eyelash applicator of claim 4,wherein each of the ends has an edge face defining an elongated innercorner between the edge face and the inner surface of the arm, theapplicator being adapted for gripping the false eyelash between theinner corners.
 11. The false eyelash applicator of claim 10, wherein atleast one of the ends is slightly bent towards the other end in order toensure gripping the false eyelash between the inner corners.
 12. Thefalse eyelash applicator of claim 1, wherein the middle portion has awidth of about 5/16″.
 13. The false eyelash applicator of claim 1,wherein the applicator in the U-shaped configuration is between aboutthree and three-eights inches and three and one-half inches long, andabout seven inches long from the end of the first arm to the end of thesecond arm when the applicator is in a pre-bent configuration.
 14. Afalse eyelash applicator, comprising: a first arm and a second arm, eachof the arms having an end, a neck section, and a handle section, theends having a broad T-shaped configuration defining a slightly concaveedge face and elongate, arcuate inner corners at a junction of the edgefaces and facing inner surfaces of the two arms; and a U-shaped,resilient middle portion joined to each arm; wherein the first arm andthe second arm are mirror images and disposed parallel to each other,the applicator being adapted for gripping a substantial portion of afalse eyelash between the inner corners of the first and second armswhen the arms are squeezed towards each other.
 15. A method of using thefalse eyelash applicator of claim 14, comprising the steps of: (a)placing at least one finger on the first arm of the applicator and athumb on the second arm; (b) grasping a center region of lashes on afalse eyelash, leaving opposing ends of the false eyelash extending fromthe ends of both the first arm and the second arm; (c) applying adhesiveto a base of the eyelash; (d holding the eyelash until the adhesivebecomes tacky; (e) applying the base of the eyelashes toward a user'seyelid; (f) placing the base of the eyelashes close to roots of theuser's eyelid; (g) pointing the middle portion of the applicator up andaway from the user's eyelid, thereby providing the user with anunobstructed view of the eyelid and causing the ends of the arms toautomatically point down to the roots of the eyelid; (h) identifying andaffixing the center three-fourths of the false eyelash in the center ofthe eyelid, nearest the roots; and (k) pressing down the ends of thefalse eyelash to the ends of the user's root using tweezers.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the base of the false eyelashes are directedto the roots of the user's eyelid at an angle.